Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmoreland.

= - * r Temple . Longtown ; uirw ™ , JICI . , H , ^ .. , railway , Silloth -, Eden Valley , Appleby ; and Kenlis , Egremont . Shortly after one o ' clock , Bro . Greaves , the W . M . of Lodge Unanimity , Penrith , opened the Craft lodge in form , after which the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge

were announced , and the Deputy Grand Master took his seat upon the throne , in the absence of thc 11 . W . Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Bective , M . P ., through thc death of his brotherin-law , thc Marquis of Downshire . The lodge being opened in due form , the minutes of the

preceding meeting , held at Whitehaven in September last , were read and confirmed . The provincial clues were next paid over by the representatives of lodges , after which the Grand Secretary made the gratifying announcement that die total number of subscribing members in

the province is 83 6 , of whom 86 were initiated during thc past twelve months , and 24 joining members . Proceeding to charitable matters , the sum of fifteen guineas was voted from the funds ofthe Provincial Grand Lodge to the widow of a deceased brother , together with twenty guineas

for two additional provincial votes in the Royal . Masonic Institution for Girls . It was also agreed that the votes of the province be given towards aiding the election of the son of a deceased brother at Silloth into the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . The last business on the programme

was that of fixing the locale for the annual Provincial festival in September next . Two places were proposed and seconded , viz ., Kirkby Lonsdale and Keswick , the festival having been held at the first-named place seven years ago , whilst it never had been held at Keswick . Upon a vote

being taken a considerable majority was recorded in favour of Keswick , and it was also understood that Kirkby Lonsdale will bc chosen the following year . This being the whole ofthe business , the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in form . Afterwards the brethren adjourned to the dining

hall of the hotel , where Bro . Wagstatl" had provided a sumptuous luncheon . The Deputy Grand Master presided , and , after dessert had been placed upon the table , he rose and announced there would bc no speech-making , simply calling upon the brethren to drink the

health of her Majesty the Queen , who was not now the mother of a Mason , but the mother of Masons—princes who were connected with a fraternity in which kings placed themselves on a level with the peasant . The toast was loyally

responded to ; and , alter dedicating a hearty bumper to the Deputy Grand Master , followed by one for the IVovineial Grand Master ( of course drunk in silence ") the party broke up about four o ' clock .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hertfordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HERTFORDSHIRE .

JiY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER . The Provincial Grand Lodge of Herts was held on Wednesday last , at the Shire Hall , Hertford .

Bro . William Stuart having resigned his office of Provincial Grand Master , on account of age and infirmity , Bro . Thomas Frederick Halsey , ALP ., of Gaddesden Place , had beeu nominated by the Marquess of Ripon , Grand Master , to fill

that hi gh and important ollice , and the meeting of Wednesday was appointed for his installation , From au early hour the town hacl put on a very gay appearance , and was decorated with as many flags hung across the principal streets , as

if Royalty hacl been going to pay it a visit . The hour fixed for the meeting of the Grand Lodge was one o ' clock , when the principal trains would arrive ; ancl by that hour large numbers

of persons had assembled in the streets , as it was known that in the course of the day a procession of Masons , wearing the badges of the Order , would march from their place of meeting to the church .

The town was indeed devoted to holiday making , and no one could enter it without seeing that something unusual vas about to take place . Ladies ancl children , dressed in all the varieties of costumes which the female mind seems to deli ght in inventing , were seen at every

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hertfordshire.

turn , but it must be admitted that everything was done to make the installation of the new Grand Master a great event in the annals of Masonry . No similar occurrence has taken place in Hertford for 30 years , that long space of time having

elapsed since Bro . William Stuart assumed the reins of office , and Bro . Halsey may congratulate himself that his rule over the Craft in the province of Herts has begun under the most auspicious circumstances . About 1-jo ofthe brethren attended , but as it

was impossible to get a full and correct list in time for onr present edition , we can only give the names of those we were able to ascertain . Among them were Bros . John Savage , P . G . D . ; F . Binckes , P . G . Steward , P . M . 8617 ; ancl numerous brethren representing the following lodges

in the province : — Hertford Lodge No . 403 ; Watford Lodge No . 404 ; Berkhampstead Lodge No . 504 ; Gresham Lodge , No . S 6 9 ; King Harold No . 1387 . Prov . Grand Lodge was opened about two o ' clock , by Bro . J ohn Hervey , Grand Sec , taking the chair , and proceeding with the customary

ceremony . Bro . Hervey then addressed the body , and said that they all must regret that the Immediate Past Grand Master was absent , but they must all feel great pleasure that though he had retired from his office as Grand Master , his place was

to be filled by so able a brother as Bro . Halsey . livery Mason in the province must look back with gratification on the many years that Bro . Stuart had presided over them , as he was one of those men who were acceptable to thc Craft , not only in this province , but throughout the length and breadth of the Masonic world . He hacl

interested himself in every branch of Masonry , ancl hacl devoted his attention to it with a zeal that was highly commendable . His name would always be reverenced , and his rule of thirty * years would be looked back upon

as one of the happiest that had occurred in Hertfordshire . It was with great regret that they had heard that growing age and infirmity hacl compelled him to resign his office , but he would carry with him in his retirement the best wishes of the brethren whose cause he had

always striven to promote . But it was an old saying that there were as good fish in the sea as had ever come out of it , and he trusted that the new Grand Master would be one who would carrv out his duties well . There wero no two

opinions on that subject , and he could only hope that Bro . Ilalsey ' s reign would be as long and successful as that of his predecessor . By the direction of Bro . Hervey , the patent ol Bro . Halsey was demanded , and a deputation , consisting of the Masters or P . M ' s . of lodges

403 , 404 , 409 , 449 , 504 , 86 9 , 1327 , ancl 138 , 5 , then left the lodge to conduct Bro . Halsey to thc lodge . On his arrival he was received with great applause . Bro . Hervey congratulated him on his selection by the G . M . ancl Provincial

G . Secretary , Bro . Dr . lies , read the patent . Prayer was offered up by Grand Chaplain , Bro Lewis Deedes . Bro . Halsey took thc obligation , and was then invested ancl installed by Bro . Hervey , who called in the brethren to salute him . This having been done , the Provincial

Grand Master appointed and invested Bro . John Sedgwich as his Deputy , and the following as the remaining Provincial Grand Officers : — Bro . Magner , Prov . G . S . W . ; Bro . Wilson , Prov . G . J . W . ; Rev . Lewis Deedes , Rev . Newton Price , Grand Stewards ; Bro . H . T . Fitch ,

Prov . G . Registrar ; Dr . F . H . Wilson lies , Provincial Grand Secretary ; Bro . Thomas Carter , Prov . G . S . D . ; Charles Lace , Prov . G . J . D . ; N . Cutbush , Provincial G . Supt . of Works ; James Terry , Prov . G . D . ; Harris , Prov . A . G . D . C ; Wylie , P . G . S . B . ; Allan , Prov . G . Purst ., H .

Camphin , E . Francis , Hargreaves , Copestick , Cussans , and Wingham , Prov . G . Stewards ; Thomas and Wri ght , Prov . G . Tylers . Bro . Alfred Copeland was unanimousl y elecled Grand Treas . . . and invested by the Grand

Master . A committee of brethren , one to represent each lodge , was elected to audit the accounts . A procession was then formed , and headed by the Grand Master , proceeded to thc church ,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hertfordshire.

where to a crowded congregation , the Rev , Grand Chaplain preached an excellent sermon from , the Corinthians xiii . 13 , on Freemasonry On returning to lodge a vote of thanks

was unanimously passed to Bro . Deedes who informed Grand Lodge that the collection in church amounted to £ 1 , 5 8 s . This was to be divided between the Hertford Infirmary and the Visitinsr Society .

On the motion of Bro . Hodges , seconded by Bro . George Lambert , £ 10 ios . were voted to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for the male fund , £ 10 ios . for the female fund . A vote of thanks was also passed , and directed

to be sent by the Grand Secretary to the Rev . Mr . Lindley , the curate in charge of the parish for the use of All Saints' Church , and another vote of thanks was given to Bro . John Hervey , for installing the Prov . Grand Master .

Prov . G . Lodge was thereupon closed , and the brethren satdownto a splendid banquet , provided by the Hertford Lodge , No . 403 . The room was beautifully decorated , the walls being hung with banners and festoons , and there being

also a plentiful display of flowers . After the banquet grace was ended , and the toasts were proposed , Bro . Ransford and other musical brethren at intervals favouring the brethren with some excellent songs .

In giving the first toasfc of " The Queen , " the Provincial Grand Master referred to the accession of Prince Arthur to the Craft , ancl in giving " The Most Worshi pful Grand Master , " to the able manner in which he discharged his duties . In giving "The Past Grand Master the Prince

of Wales , and Deputy Grand Master , ancl the rest of Grand Officers , " he applauded the zeal with which the Prince of Wales had entered into Masonry . And speaking of the Earl of Carnarvon said that the ability with which he conducted Grand Lodge business in the absence of the Marquess of Ripon met with thc

approval of all members of the Craft , of the rest of the Grand Officers , of whom many were present , it was unnecessary for him to say anything as to their discharge of their duties , as every one who knew anything of the business of Grand Lodge knew well how admirably they performed all that was required of them .

Bro . John Savage responded . Bro . John Hervey , proposed " The Health of the Ri ght Worshipful Provincial Grand Master . There were some toasts , he said , which required recommendation , but this one would , he was sure , be so universall y acceptable that it

recommended itself . Bro . Halsey would do justice to the office in which he had been that day installed , and if the whole county had been polled there was no brother who would have been elected in preference to Bro . Halsey . The toast having been drunk with immense enthusiasm .

The Provincial Grand Master said , I have to thank you most sincerel y for the kind manner in which you have greeted this toast , and I can assure you that it is a most gratifying and encouraging circumstance that I should be received in this manner at the onset of my career as your

Prov . G . Master . I can only say that I feel that I have a very hard task to fulfil , coming as I do after one who has held the office in this province for more than a quarter of a century , who was , I believe , the oldest Provincial Grand Master , under the English Constitution . I feel

that after such a Grand Master , who himself was preceded by another brother , whose name was always honoured in the county , the late Marquis of Salisbury , that I am placed in a difficulty . I come after distinguished brethren , and it will need all my energies and exertions

properly and rightly , to tread in their footsteps . But I can only say 1 will endeavour to do so , and that I shall look to you to support and help me in that task . It is for you to smooth my path ( hear , hear . ) From the reception you have given me this evening I think you will help me , and

that on all occasions I shall receive from the brethren of this province the support without which it would be impossible for me satisfactorily to discharge the duties that may devolve upon me , however efficient I might be . I find the province in a good state , Masonry in this province during the last few years seems to have